"Anti-Zionism is not the same as Anti-Semitism"

"I witnessed seven Israeli aggressions on Gaza since 2008. However, this is the first aggression, Israeli aggression over Gaza that I have spent outside of Gaza. Away from my parents, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my beloved husband and family-in-law."

Hala Hanina, a UK-based PhD student in sociology and politics from Gaza, shares her harrowing experience of witnessing seven Israeli aggressions since 2008, during a press conference in London held by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians. The current bombardment of Gaza is the first one she has experienced while away from her family.

She describes the isolation and helplessness she felt during the Israeli-imposed blackout on 5 November that cut off communication in and out of Gaza, preventing even emergency calls. Amidst this, she tragically learned of the death of her friend, Maisara Alrayyes, a 28-year-old physician and leader, and his family, during an air strike in Gaza